Josh Hokit understands the challenge that awaits him at UFC White House, but that hasn’t stopped him from embracing the moment in the only way he knows how, with confidence, charisma and a healthy dose of chaos.
The undefeated heavyweight faces Derrick Lewis on Sunday night in the biggest fight of his career, fully aware of the dangers ‘The Black Beast’ presents while remaining convinced that his own unique style and personality are exactly what the sport needs.
“Yeah I’m going to fight him differently. You can’t take a punch like that from Derrick Lewis,” Hokit told reporters including Cageside Press on Wednesday.
“I’m stupid, but I’m not that stupid.”
Hokit (9-0) pushed back against criticism that his larger-than-life persona is nothing more than an act, arguing that his performances inside the cage speak for themselves. Blending humor, confidence and a string of colorful one-liners, Hokit insisted that anyone questioning his authenticity should take a look at the list of opponents he’s already left behind.
“They want to talk about it being fake and I don’t like that. Ask my opponents if it was fake,” he said before changing back into his Hulk character.
“When I chewed up and spit out (Guilherme) Uriel like some old cereal. When I showed (Max) Gimenis what semen is. See what I did there? When I bent hell on Denzel (Freeman) was it fake? When I threw bombs and grenades on Curtis Blaydes, was it fake? When I beat Derrick Lewis, clueless…will it be fake?”
Hokit didn’t shy away from setting lofty goals for himself, confidently predicting that a showdown with former champion Alex Pereira is only a matter of time. Staying true to his hilarious promotional style, Hokit mixed genuine ambition with outrageous trash talk as he painted a memorable picture of how he sees that future rivalry unfolding.
“It’s inevitable. We’re going to fight one day. I know he knows it,” he said.
“And Alex Pereira and his bbl could go to hell. I’m the lion, he’s the weak gazelle, I’m going to beat him till he swells. I’m going to put his head in the microwave. It’s going to give off a pizza smell.”
Watch the entire media day scrum with Josh Hokit above. He faces Derrick Lewis at UFC White House on Sunday night.
